J. Scott Park / Jackson Citizen PatriotKevin Clifton, left, devlopment director for the Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity, works with Phelps Towing driver Mike Ambs of Jackson to move a playhouse Friday from the Westwood Mall to its new home at the Torrant Center.

Students returning to class Monday at the Lyle A. Torrant Center will receive a bonus Christmas present: a new playhouse.

The 7-foot tall playhouse was donated by Gwen Reynolds, who won the gift in the Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity's Playhouse Giftwrap Raffle at Westwood Mall.

Reynolds, of Somerset Center, has a teenage daughter and wasn't in need of a playhouse. She asked Habitat for Humanity to donate it to an organization with a lot of children.

Habitat for Humanity chose the Torrant Center, which serves more than 200 children.

"I was really glad they were able to donate it to Torrant," Reynolds said. "I'm really pleased that somebody could use it."

The 6-by-8-foot house features a door and windows and is worth about $1,000, said Kevin Clifton, development director for Jackson Habitat.

"For us it's kind of a really big thing, because here's an individual who didn't have to give it back to us," he said. "Those kids are going to have something to play in."

The Giftwrap Raffle was part of Habitat's gift-wrapping fundraiser in November and December. Clifton said the fundraiser raised about $2,500, which goes toward the organization's projects for 2008.

The playhouse will be placed at the east end of the center, said Kathy Miller, early childhood special education supervisor for the Jackson County Intermediate School District, which oversees Torrant. The playhouse will sit in the center's parking lot until the snow clears.

"As of now we don't have anything on that side of the building," Miller said.

ISD Special Education Director Richard Rendell said the playhouse will be put to good use.

"The house is just ideal because it'll be a start for the playground," he said.

Although Reynolds donated the playhouse, she said it was a community effort.

Several area businesses and individuals donated time, money or supplies for the fundraiser.